- Paperback: 281 pages
- Publisher: Rough Guides; 1st edition (1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1858283310
- ISBN-13: 978-1858283319
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 14 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,042,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Syria edition is typical of the Rough Guides - extremely useful accurate information presented in an easy to use and carry format at a very reasonable price. The historical information, especially of the earliest periods, is rather thin, but those with a passion for archaeology do not need the Rough Guide to fill them in on this, and the historical entries on sites do at least form an aide-memoire. It's function is otherwise. Instead it majors on good pithy summaries of where (and where not) to eat and sleep, how to get around, and valuable advice on how to behave and what to expect. Even on a package tour where I had no need to know the availability of hotels or restaurants I still found it a valuable companion. I often find the Rough Guides err on the side of caution with regard to the likelihood of theft and unpleasant approaches, especially when it comes to women travellers, and the Syria edition is no exception. However it is probably better so. I would have appreciated a down to earth warning that, outside hotels, western-style toilets are unknown, the squat style being found even at the airport. Also that the food is so boring and repetitive as to be almost inedible after three or four days, even the best hotels offer little choice on menus, and desserts are either local concoctions too sweet to eat or non-existent. For these reasons I have witheld a five star rating. Combine it with Ross Burns' Monuments of Syria for the heavy historical details, and you will nedd nothing else to visit Syria.
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
having compared rough guide and lonely planet, and ideed road tested both, theres realylittle between them as regards syria,its a small country witha lot of archeological sites, so both cover almost identical territory.
the biggest downfall with this guide is the coverage of eateries, especially as regards damascus.interestingly someof the reccomended restraunts here are in fact rip-off buffets which lonely planet warns to avaoid at all costs, with which i would fully agree.
initially i was somewhat sceptical of the number of iste plans and layout maps of the various museums, but rather than padding they actually did proove useful, as the museums are incredibly badly organised.
possibly a little more objectivity would be nice, but guidebooks all seem to suffer in this respect, and certainly it is possible to read between the lines on occasion.
not the strongest rough guide but a pretty comprehensive coverage of syria as long as you dont follow the eating suggestions to closely.
the biggest downfall with this guide is the coverage of eateries, especially as regards damascus.interestingly someof the reccomended restraunts here are in fact rip-off buffets which lonely planet warns to avaoid at all costs, with which i would fully agree.
initially i was somewhat sceptical of the number of iste plans and layout maps of the various museums, but rather than padding they actually did proove useful, as the museums are incredibly badly organised.
possibly a little more objectivity would be nice, but guidebooks all seem to suffer in this respect, and certainly it is possible to read between the lines on occasion.
not the strongest rough guide but a pretty comprehensive coverage of syria as long as you dont follow the eating suggestions to closely.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Criticism of this Book as Culturally Insensitive is Off-Base
2 April 2004
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I feel compelled to correct the unsubstantiated & unreasonable claim in another review that the authors of this guide have in any way disparaged the Syrian people or their culture. This is a quite useful book in almost all respects (chock full of maps, even for many out-of-the-way destinations). Typical of this guide's attitude: "Remember that most Syrians are unfailingly honest and courteous, and you shouldn't let a cautious outlook spoil your trip, or be tempted to read anything sinister into the genuine offers of hospitality you receive." The Rough Guide to Syria has been put together with a lot of care, and while it may not be the ne plus ultra, it is reliable, informative, and particularly strong in giving significant coverage to places throughout Syria.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
best book on Syria
4 Jun 2008
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best book on Syria that I have (I've three others). It is so thorough that my tour guide wanted to purchase it from me at the end of our trip (a month long one). I'm sending him his own. There is "political" information in it that our guide was not aware of (e.g. the massacre at Hama). The writing style, often "tongue in cheek" made the text interesting to read. But, for me, its strength is its commentary on contemporary Syrian life, politics, culture. etc.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Excellent book with lots of information
9 April 1999
Format:Paperback
Excellent guide. It starts with a section about health, visa, currency, local transport, etc. The actual guide is a 'walkthrough', like: "When you exit the mosque, you will see on your left..." It contains maps of major cities, covering restaurants and hotels too (with price indication!) Detailled maps for places of interest. Background info on persons, political issues and history.
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